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Wife's Tale

So, off we went to visit Bishop Henry, of the Diocese in Europe, who told us we were the right age (always good to hear when you are over 50), had no dependent children, and had obviously been called to minister in France. He said the Diocese would give us spiritual support, but had no money to finance the work. Undeterred, we spent some time with the director of the Intercontinental Church Society, an Anglican charity which places Chaplains world wide. He said exactly the same thing. What could we do? We knew by now that we were called to Brittany, but we had very little money - only a small pension which Beri receives, having left teaching 10 years previously on health grounds.

What could we do? We were both so sure this was what God wanted of us. We had not taken our friends into account. They, too, had caught the vision of the work in Brittany, and one suggested sponsorship, to bring us up to the required level of income for applying for a carte de séjour. We were overcome by the speed at which they organised the sponsorship, and by the generosity of people we hardly knew. The wheels were set in motion, and in October 1999 we moved to Le Lesnot. It was a wrench to leave elderly parents, children, and our six week old first grandson, but the warmth of the welcome we received from neighbours and new friends helped us over the rawness of moving.

So, here we were. After three weeks turning a holiday house into a permanent home, we travelled to Paris to be licensed by the Archdeacon of France. We had some very odd looks as we walked along the Champs Elysees, hand in hand, Roger sporting his clerical shirt and collar! One young man at Gare Montparnasse stopped us to ask why Roger had chosen a blue shirt, and was intrigued to discover we were Anglicans, coming to work in France.

But how should we begin that work? What should we do? How could we make ourselves, and our ministry, known? First port of call was the RC Bishop of Vannes, who was warmly encouraging, and fell on our licences, with their large red seals, calling them our 'mission'. He wanted to know all about my role as Lay Minister (Reader), and promised to help us find somewhere to worship.

We produced posters, flyers, sent mailings to 'English sounding' names from the phone book, and received much help from a local estate agent. We set Advent Sunday, November 28th, as our first service, and arranged our living room as the 'Church'. That day we had 18 people. We were astonished! One couple had travelled for two hours to join us. The Brittany Anglican Congregations were launched!

So what has happened since? Far too much to record here. But we have had some wonderful and humbling experiences. Within 2 weeks of being licensed, we were approached to take a funeral. What a steep learning curve that was! Things are done very differently here. We stood at the entrance to the Crematorium, awaiting the hearse, only to discover that the 'empty' one which had passed us, was in fact carrying the body in a lower refrigerated section. We were better prepared for the second funeral.

We have been called to Finistère to support a sailor airlifted from his boat in the Bay of Biscay. He had no French, was traumatised by his experience, and needed a lot of TLC as well as practical help and advice. An e-mail from the UK alerted us to another man in Finistère who is unwell and wanted communion if that were possible, we visit him regularly. We have made contact with another group of Christians/Anglicans near Morlaix.

Last Christmas we held three Carol Services. The one in Locarn was a joint Nine Lessons and Carols with the local Catholic parish. We sang four carols in French, four in English and one in Breton - a first for most of us! We then met for a vin d'honneur in the Salle, and ate an enormous stack of gallettes, made by the ladies of the area. This event was a great way to contact local anglophones, and we have been asked to repeat it this year. Thus is tradition born! Two days later we were in Nantes, holding a service for local Brits, and as a result of this now meet there for worship on the second Saturday evening of every month.

Our contacts with the Catholic church and its clergy have been such an encouragement. From our local Curé who blessed our holiday home (as it then was) to the Bishop who has found us a 'home' in the Maison Mère des Frères de La Mennais, Ploermel. Then there was the Aumonier at the Chubert hospital, who welcomed Roger to worship alongside him, whilst in for 3 weeks treatment; and the Frères themselves who are so supportive of, and interested in, our ministry. We have had so many signs that this is God's place for us. The lady who discovered the Church, which she said she had been praying for for six years; the couple who had intended to sell their holiday home, but took it off the market when they found there was a church here; the holiday makers who are already ringing us to know where we are worshipping, so they can join us again this year; I could go on, but if you want to know more I'll be happy to talk to you!

During the deliberations which took place before we moved to France, the Bishop and the Director of ICS debated Roger's title. Should he be licensed as: - Chaplain to Morbihan; to Southern Brittany; or to Brittany? The final decision was that his title is 'Chaplain to the Anglican Congregations in Brittany'. With the developments in Nantes and Finistère that 's' is now reality.

But Brittany is a large parish, so we are seeking a helicopter , we shall scan the TP 'For sale' section with great expectancy!!!

Beri Fray